Bridge Construction Projects Affecting Traffic on Two County Roads

A portion of two DeKalb County roads remain closed due to bridge construction.
Dry Creek Road in the Pea Ridge area was closed on Monday, June 6th and will tentatively be closed through July 15th while the work is in progress.
County Mayor Mike Foster spoke of this project recently at a county commission meeting. “It’s really going to adversely affect some people for a short period of time. They’re (state) requesting to close Dry Creek Road in order to construct the north abutment of the new bridge right below Pea Ridge. The new abutment sets on the edge of Dry Creek Road which will require a drill rig be set up that will block the road. The wing wall closest to the existing bridge sets on the edge of the roadway. This will require an excavation approximately ten feet deep into the opening up of the roadway. It is impossible to keep traffic on this section of road while this work takes place. This is the upper bridge just before you get to Pea Ridge. Everybody from just this side of the bridge, the road will be cut this side of the old bridge. So that means that everybody up there, even Cave Hollow and everything above there, will be required to go around (detour) until this bridge is replaced. It will take about five weeks. They’re going to build the abutment on the south side, southwest side, and the pier and then they’re going to close the road and add in the pier on this side. While that’s being done, it will be closed,” said Foster.
TDOT has awarded a bid to Roads, LLC of Brentwood in the amount of $623, 963 to build a concrete I-Beam bridge at Dry Creek. The project includes grading, drainage, and paving. The work must be completed on or before November 30th.
Meanwhile progress is being made on the construction of a bridge on Tramel Branch Road over Helton Creek near Alexandria.
In February, the Tennessee Department of Transportation awarded a bid to Mountain States Contractors, LLC of Mount Juliet in the amount of $505,991 to build a new concrete box beam bridge there. The project includes grading, drainage, and paving.
Tramel Branch Road is closed to traffic at the point of the bridge site. The work is to be completed on or before November 30th.
Road Supervisor Kenny Edge told WJLE that both projects are being funded with 80% federal funds and 20% local matching money, including 14% from the DeKalb County Highway Department budget (state aid) and 6% from the county general fund.